Investigation on Relation between Plant Communities and some Soil Properties using Canonical Correspondence Analysis (Case Study: Ardestan Rangelands)

Vegetation cover is one of the most important factors for ecosystem sustainability; thus, recognizing and understanding factors affecting the establishment and distribution of vegetation communities are necessary. This study was aimed to determine the relationship between vegetation and soil parameters of Ardestan rangelands, Isfahan Province. Primarily, the vegetation types were distinguished in the field using physiognomic method. Plot size was determined applying minimal area method. The number of plots was determined using statistical method. Systematic randomized sampling was used and performed along three transects of 100 m length. Ten plots of 6m2 were established along each transect at 10-meter intervals. Three soil profiles were dug in each area and soil samples were taken at a depth of 0-150 cm to study 21 soil factors. The results of factor analysis showed that among variables studied, 17 variables were the most effective factors on vegetation types of the study area. To determine the effect of environmental factors on the establishment of vegetation, canonical correspondence analysis was used applying CANOCO software. Ordination results showed that environmental factors such as soil texture, lime, potassium and electrical conductivity had the most important role in the establishment and expansion of plant communities in the study area.